Skopje, 24 April 2023 (MIA) - The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of support for our friends from the Western Balkans on their European path. Enlargement with the countries from the region in the security and defense policy remains to be Austria's priority. Austria wants to see North Macedonia continue the EU accession negotiations through specific steps that will result in large progress, said visiting Austrian Federal Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner in Skopje on Monday.

"Stability and security of the countries from the Western Balkans is something that must be achieved, and this is a goal for all of us. We should not forget one thing - the war in Ukraine is still not over. The end cannot be predicted and experts have not even excluded its spillover towards Europe. Therefore, it is important to act preventively in order to strengthen stability where necessary and provide support for the efforts to defend from all threats coming from abroad," Minister Tanner told a joint press conference with counterpart Slavjanka Petrovska.

On the constitutional changes, Tanner said they were discussed at today's meeting with Petrovska, noting these issues are important for both Vienna and Skopje.

"We spoke about the next steps that might be undertaken in this regard, so that Macedonia joins the EU as soon as possible," said Tanner.

Minister Petrovska said the visit of counterpart Tanner is another proof of North Macedonia and Austria's partnership in the management of challenges that Europe is facing.

"The region needs hope and a signal that it has not been forgotten and it is still a priority for the European Union. We see this through your visit, especially considering that Austria is our close partner and supporter in the achievement of this goal. Let's not allow for a vacuum in which European values are replaced by other agendas that have been present as of late through the hybrid threats, disinformation and fake news, but also cyber-attacks. These attacks are not naive, they have a higher purpose - to block EU negotiations, to undermine trust in the EU and NATO, trust in democratic institutions. Therefore, we value Austrian support within the 'Krems Format' as a platform for regional cooperation between Austria and the Western Balkans," said Petrovska.

She added that North Macedonia is actively contributing to stability, goodneighborly relations and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, especially considering the country's culture of dialogue and its capability to find solutions for tough bilateral issues.

"We belong to Europe and that is why we are ambitious in the joint efforts to intensify defense cooperation. As a NATO member but also a country that launched the EU accession process, North Macedonia wants to engage in the Union's defense initiatives that are complementary with the role of the Alliance," said Petrovska.

Interlocutors also referred to the international missions that the two countries are taking part in, and other joint projects.